My quest for the solution to chub rub

Last year I wrote one of my inadvertently most popular posts: "No-chafing options for skirts: The pettipants search begins" about my determination to find appropriate undergarments that would be comfortable in hot weather, be non-binding on my admittedly larger-than-average thighs, and able to stop thigh chafing in its tracks.

Little did I know there was a product out there that could do all of those things — plus, be attractive! I know! I was excited, too!

Bandelettes contacted me first in the comments on my post, and I decided to write them to see if they'd be up for a review and giveaway. And: Check it out. History made itself!

My Bandelettes experience

Size

First things first: You measure around your thigh at its widest point to determine your Bandelettes size, so there's no guess work. They come in sizes A (21-22") through E (29-30"), so even I found one that fit me. Bandelettes are basically like a wider version of the band that's present at the top of thigh highs. Well, I'd worn thigh-highs before, and I was worried that it would be like those one-size-fits-most-but-not-me experiences where the band was constricting and rolled up. Not so! The size I needed was exactly right on my thighs and fit snugly without slipping or binding. Score!

Comfort

I also worried that Bandelettes might be uncomfortable in summer heat, since they're made of synthetic materials. And it's true that when I took them off on a particularly sweaty day, underneath was a band of sheen. However! It's such a small part of your legs that's covered that it feels negligible when they're on. The rest of your legs (and your crotch, which I believe is important from a yeast-fighting point of view) stay as uncovered or cotton-covered as you'd like. I was able to feel cool in a skirt without having to wear the bulk of shorts, the heat of leggings or tights, or the soul-crushing death of pantyhose underneath. Perfect for summer!

Mikko took this picture for me to show that the
bare-legs look can now totally happen for me!

Effectiveness

But, to the point: Did the Bandelettes prevent thigh rub? Because nothing else matters before effectiveness is ruled in or out. The answer: They worked like a charm! I have to admit, I was kind of surprised. They're wider than I'd have thought, but even so, I worried my thighs might be too much for them. Not so — they covered amply all the areas that would normally swish together when I walk. I had no irritation, no heat rash, no little bumps. In short, I was comfortable and carefree all day long! I was so pleased, I even wore them indoors with just a long shirt on while I was doing sweat-intensive home improvement projects. Despite numerous trips up and down stairs, bending, reaching, turning upside down (actually true — I was working on some plumbing and staining), they held in place and kept my inner thighs from touching. Win!

Looks

But then there's the bonus angle. So many of the alternatives I looked at for anti-chafing were — let's put it kindly — less than flattering. Oh, let's just go for dowdy. Or fugly.

Bandelettes, on the other hand? As soon as I slipped them on, I felt kinda pert, kinda saucy. I don't usually wear thigh highs, and now I had a band of lace around that intimate area. Unlike with granny panties or pantaloons, if my skirt flipped up in the wind and someone saw the Bandelettes, I think I'd just give a little smile instead of a shriek.

In fact, Mikko caught sight of them when I was pulling my skirt out of the way of a rogue wave when we were paddling out at low tide. "Mama!" he exclaimed. "You have such pretty underwear!" So there you have it: the six-year-old point of view!

I have to apologize for starting this post out with a picture of my thighs when Bandelettes has so many gorgeous photos of legs modeling them that Sam asked just what kind of site I was looking at! Here are a few to enjoy:

About Bandelettes

The Bandelettes story

From the website:

Our company was born out of pure passion. One of the founders had a persistent chafing problem for years. She was frustrated with the simple challenges that she had to encounter when wearing skirts and dresses. Moreover, given the nature of the problem, she discovered that many women were not even aware that it was so common yet so rarely discussed. After intensive research and fervent efforts to find a solution, the exclusive Bandelettes were born. These luxury additions to a woman’s wardrobe were not just designed with comfort and convenience in mind. They are also attractive and aesthetically pleasing thus integrating form and functionality in one ingenious product.

Bandelettes are as effective as they are convenient to wear. While they look similar to high thigh tights, you will never have to deal with the burden of stockings slipping down. The Bandelettes are made of high-quality and delicately crafted stretchy lace that lightly wraps around the thighs and brings an end to skin rubbing as well as chafing. The two rows of stay up silicone inside the bands hold them in place all day long without any risk of slipping. Aesthetically pleasing and chic, the thigh Bandelettes offer a welcome and attractive alternative to tights and pantyhose during the warm and hot weather.

Believe it or not, the friction of the inner thighs is not an unusual problem at all. Irritation might not be the result of excessive fat in the thigh area so much as the relative angle of the hips, thighs and knees. The Bandelettes offer a welcome respite for any woman suffering from this condition and is convenient to use for all age groups and body types.

Affordability

I have to say as well that I fully appreciate the price point: only $15 a pair! I think that's a very good deal, considering how functional and versatile a piece of your wardrobe these will become. Bandelettes come in beige and black, giving you a couple basic and welcome options for wearing under skirts, dresses, and loose-fitting shorts or pants.

The only slight problem I foresee is durability. One of my pairs had a slight pull at the seam, so there's already a potential hole. You're supposed to hand wash them, which is theoretically easy enough. I suspect I'll machine wash them in a lingerie bag instead, meaning I will likely be shortening the lifespan. That said, I think it's still worth it! Simply buying thigh highs for the band wouldn't be the same at all, because Bandelettes are wider and cut to fit a much broader variety of bodies.

BUY IT!

You can purchase Bandelettes Anti-Chafing Thigh Bands online at Bandelettes.com.

Coupon code! Just for our readers, Bandelettes is offering a 15% discount off any order at Bandelettes.com! Enter code Hobomama at checkout.

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Disclosure: I received a product for review.
I try to seek out only products I think you would find
relevant and useful to your life as a natural parent.
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I'm so excited you're doing this giveaway! I saw these on another blog recently and I love the idea! I think it's funny that people don't talk about this problem, because my thighs rubbed together even at my lowest weight!

I love that you go both ways - crunchy and sexy. Seems a bit rare in this blogging community.

Looking at their site, I see that these can be worn with shorts as well as skirts. So clever, and I love that look! I want these!

It's funny - on the website I noticed a picture of someone in a wedding dress and that never occurred to me! They're gorgeous but I was thinking of everyday wear, so I can wear dresses out and about all day. I definitely need to get some to go under my wedding dress before March! my email address is megan [dot] nicole [dot] gardner [at] gmail [dot] com. Thanks for the chance to win!

I had trouble with the "extra info" box not appearing - but FYI I did post a comment at http://www.hobomama.com/2010/09/cloth-diapers-for-apartment-dwellers.html. my email address is megan [dot] nicole [dot] gardner [at] gmail [dot] com

These are super sweet! Heatrash and chafing are the worst. What a cool and cute solution! I wear skirts all the time, and these would be nice for daytrips and suchnot with extensive walking. Also, love the skirt you are wearing in the photo with Alrik! I'm wearing the SAME one right now. Love it! And Mikko is a good photographer! Adora usually cuts my head out or something, haha. She is still learning. Pretty underwear,haha..Mikko's hilarious.

Thank so much for the discount coupon! Just placed an order. I've always worn bike shorts but here in Japan it is so humid that I really don't want that extra layer of tight lycra. Looking forward to trying these out!

I learned that preventing chaffing can be beautiful and easy and not make me feel like I'm stuffed into a sausage or a granny. So incredibly excited! Also love that they have silicon so they don't slip.

@Hannah, Horn, and HannabertI agree that I would like to see a photo of some 'normal' thighs in these. I would like to wear them to add just a little length to shorts or "too-short-for-me" dresses, but if they cause a bit of leg muffin top, that would not achieve the look I am going for. The photos of perfectly toned legs are unfortunately not helpful.

@Dominique Reynolds: I have the opposite type of legs as the models, lol, and I haven't had a problem with leg muffin top. Make sure you *measure* your thighs at the biggest part with a tape measure (or string + ruler) and order based on the measurement, and they'll fit smoothly. Seriously! :)

I learned that they're not supposed to slip (my biggest concern!). I desperately need something like this, though. Dresses are so much more flattering on me at the moment but the thigh rubbing is too much!

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Riding the rails with my husband, Crackerdog Sam, and our hobo kids, Mikko Lint Picker (born June 2007), Alrik Irontrousers (born May 2011), and one on the way (coming October 2014). Trying every day to parent intentionally and with grace.